According to Arbitron the Portable People Meter (PPM)  is "is a unique audience measurement system that tracks what consumers listen to on the radio, and what consumers watch on broadcast television, cable and satellite TV."

Market
The Portable People Meter will be used by television and radio stations to better accurately track their ratings.  The Portable People Meter is a pager size device that detects inaudible signals from radio and television.  It is carried around by the consumer through the course of the day.  At night the PPM is put on its charger, recharging the battery and sending the codes to Arbitron for tabulation.  Then the numbers are distributed to the stations for their personal use.

Major Manufacturers
Arbitron which is a division of Ceridian Corporation.  There is also funding from Nielson Media Research.  According to Arbitron they are " an international media and marketing research firm serving radio broadcasters, cable companies, advertisers, advertising agencies and outdoor advertising companies in the United States, Mexico and Europe.  Arbitron's core businesses are measuring network and local market radio audiences across the United States; surveying the retail, media and product patterns of local market consumers; and providing application software used for analyzing media audience and marketing information data."  Nielson Media Research firm polls people on what they watch and conducts the ratings.

Specifications and Features
This is a base station, it takes codes and motion from the motion detector through the day from the Portable People Meter and sends it in to be tallied and it also recharges the battery.  It gives data to the household hub and gives feedback to the individual.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This is the encoder, it is hooked up to the distribution source.  It is self monitoring ensuring continuous operation and noninterference with the broadcast.  It provides continuos real-time stereo for encoding program material during broadcast.

This is the Portable People Meter it went through many stages of miniaturization to become the size of a pager.  During the course of a day the participants carry it around for the course of a day.  It has a sensitive audio transducer, digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry to analyze input for code detection, extensive memory accommodating at least one day of event codes, and a rechargeable battery. 

For a more detailed description you can goto the Arbitron website.

Pricing
There is no current price.  It is still in the testing phase.

Brief History
The research was started in 1992, with 25 individual studies that were conducted to evaluate the performance of the Portable People Meter.  The first individual field tests were conducted in June of 2000.  The first test was held in Wilmington Delaware with a total of 300 meters.  The phase of testing in occurring in 2002 in Philadelphia.  The total participation of 55 radio, TV, and cable channels and 1500 people participants.  For more information goto The Mediadrome TV. 

Market Penetration
There is no market penetration.  The Portable People Meter is still in the research and development stages.  In the testing areas TV and radio stations are using the device. 

Latest Developments/News Stories
Currently testing is occurring in Philadelphia.  The results from the first tests are starting to come back.  Two radio stations in Philadelphia are also using the PPM to track their online listening.  For more news stories refer to the following websites:

Advantages and Benefits
Advantages and Benefits can be found in the Arbitron main website.  Many of which include: monitoring the person instead of the receiver, can rate channels that a person listens to or watch when out in public, as well as track internet ratings.

Downsides or Negative Benefits
There is a huge percentage difference between the diaries and the PPM.  If there is a TV on in the room as the recipient passes by then it will pick it up and record it.  Link to view Media Life Magazine.

Product Reviews
Links: 

Internet Newsgroups and Mailing Lists
There are no internet clubs or newsgroups that are dedicated to this technology.  There are many news articles associated with the technology.
Links: Regulatory Concerns
The product is still in testing so there has not been any legal or regulatory problems.

Predictions
My prediction for this technology is that it will become the standard for TV, radio, and internet use.  The news stories have all said the same thing that it is accurate.  I think the technology will become cheaper after they prove that the PPM is accurate.  When this occur I think more people will be asked to have one.  If everyone does the testing properly then I think there will be more TV shows staying on air and the pricing for advertising will change.  If advertising prices change significantly then the products will become more expensive.

Sources

April 10, 2002
Jeremy Wallace